CRAMBA Mountain Bike Patrol orientation May 30th
Our next scheduled New Patroller Orientation is scheduled for May 30th 10am at Shelby Twp Fire Station #1.Located at 6345 23 Mile Rd, Shelby Twp, MI 48316 Enter the West entrance.Training will last 2ish hours. At 1pm there will be a group ride at River Bends Park. This will co-inside with a beginner/novice group ride.Please bring your bike, helmet and any medical training you have to the training.If you have any questions please ask, otherwise we will see you Saturday May 30th. Please share this email with anyone else you think might be interested.Please RSVP by email bikepatrol@cramba.org or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/982835151734830/
Bald Mountain North Unit Trail Day
Bald Mountain Recreation Area, North Unit, has long been a local favorite trail featuring smooth, flowing, open routes and beautiful views. Unfortunately, it also has some low-laying muddy areas. On Saturday, May 9th, 2015, a CRAMBA-IMBA-led group of volunteers worked with the Michigan DNR to repair one of the worst and most visible problem spots. Just south of the main parking area at Harmon and Predmore roads (map) the old, collapsed drainage and unofficial patches were removed and replaced with a french drain system, raising the trail surface above the water table.
The image to the right shows how it looked before the work was done.With 18 volunteers representing CRAMBA-IMBA, Metro Detroit Mountain Bikers, and the Friends of Bald Mountain Recreation Area, 90 volunteer-hours were worked, totaling $2066.40 in volunteer time† donated.This was CRAMBA-IMBA's first trail day working with the DNR at Bald Mountain and what we hope to be the start of a growing relationship that'll enhance the mountain biking opportunities throughout the park.Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help with the work: Matt and Karen Koneda, Mike Hartrick, Drew Williams, Kristen Barry, Scott Mackela, Rodney Gullett, Deanna Velasco, Lisa Apone, Mark Senyk, Pete Kresmery, Carl Moody, Steve Vigneau, Mike Webb, Konrad Kucharski, Chris Westerlund, Max Larroquette, and David Jackson.Particular thanks to:
- Adam Lepp and Paul Majchrowski, Michigan DNR at Bald Mountain Recreation Area, who arranged for the materials and with whom CRAMBA-IMBA has been working closely.
- Lisa Apone and Mike Webb for bringing both a vibrating compactor to pack the trail surface and pizza and water for hungry workers.
- Rodney Gullett and Deanna Velasco for getting mid-day food that kept our volunteers going.
- Pete Kresmery and Mark Senyk for bringing small tractors and trailers used to move the repair materials.
More photos from before, during and after the trail day can be found here. Thank you to Jeremy Verbeke, Lisa Apone, Kristen Barry, and Max Larroquette for getting pictures of the work in progress.† https://www.independentsector.org/volunteer_time (2014 value)
April 2015 Chapter and Board meeting minutes
Please see here for the April Chapter Meeting minutes:CRAMBA April Chapter Meeting 2015And here for the April Board Meeting minutes:CRAMBA Board Meeting Minutes 4-16-15Thank you!
CRAMBA Bike Patrol is recruiting for 2015!
Do you enjoy mountain biking in Michigan? Are you that person who always wants to help others? Always prepared? Want to get more involved with bettering the sport? Then the National Mountain Bike Patrol may be for you!WhenFirst Training is April 18th in Shelby Township. Contact bikepatrol@cramba.org for more information. Who Is IMBA National Mountain Bike Patrol?The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) NMBP exists as a non‐profit entity to maintain and develop mountain biking trail access, support relationships with land managers, and promote responsible mountain biking and outdoor recreation in Michigan.
What is the National Mountain Bike Patrol?A chapter of the National Mountain Bike Patrol is a volunteer mountain bike organization dedicated to promoting responsible riding and trail use on our public lands, providing assistance and education to trail users, and participating in this mission by riding our bikes. Our patrollers ride designated Township, City, County, State and U.S. Forest Service trails and provide simple, helpful assistance (such as giving directions to trail users, helping with minor mountain bike repairs, and educating riders about the rules of the trail). Patrollers report patrol activity via an easy web form after completing their rides.Our MissionThe mission of the Mountain Bike Patrol boils down to:
- Assist in medical and mechanical emergencies
- Educate trail users of proper etiquette
- Inform land managers, land owners and trail users of trail conditions through monitoring efforts
- Work with land managers to maintain and/or gain trail access for mountain bikers
- Offer volunteer services at outdoor races and events
If you are interested in joining or have questions please contact:Jeremy VerbekeCRAMBA Mountain Bike Patrol DirectorBikepatrol@cramba.org
Addison Oaks Groomed Fat Bike Route and Map
We just heard from Addison Oaks that the groomed fat bike route is a go! Working with Oakland County Parks and Recreation, CRAMBA-IMBA suggested a machine-groomable route through the park, and Addison Oaks has put it in place!Click here to download a map of the route which starts at the main parking lot. Please let us or the park know how you like the route!See you out there!
2014 CRAMBA Bike Patrol Year in review
The Clinton River Mountain Bike Association’s (CRAMBA) National Mountain Bike Patrol group has had another very successful year in 2014.The mission of the CRAMBA Bike Patrol is to Assist, Educate and Inform mountain bikers and other trail users in safe, responsible and respectful use of bike trails and parks. This is accomplished through volunteers “patrolling” local trail systems. The CRAMBA Bike Patrol is not an enforcement agency, yet we educate users of proper “rules of the trail”.In CRAMBA Bike Patrol’s inaugural year, 2013 was a foundation building year. We started with 13 patrollers, 9 being brand new to the National Mountain Bike Patrol. In that year those 13 individuals accomplished more than 1000 hours of volunteer time patrolling our local parks.In 2014 we started off strong by hosting two new patroller orientations and training sessions. The training sessions included First Aid/CPR, trail etiquette, trailside maintenance, conflict resolution and Land Manager relations. These sessions quickly bolstered our ranks to 34 National Mountain Bike Patrollers for the CRAMBA Bike Patrol.Great community value was visible through multiple requests to have CRAMBA Bike Patrol at various events from 5k, Trail, and Half-marathon runs, Mountain Bike Races, large organized group rides and even Boy Scout den meetings. Financial support came from generous donations from Back to the Beach Races, Rochester Bike Shop, Tailwinds Racing, KLM Bike Shop, and Main Street Bike Shop. REI donated 14 First Aid kits to our new patrollers once again this year.CRAMBA patrollers put in an astounding 1733.95 hours of volunteer time in 2014. They also logged more than 8419 miles of trails patrolled. Log reports showed trail assistance provided anything from providing maps and directions all the way to life stabilizing efforts, 911 activation and patient transfer to local EMS. All of this is provided free of charge, by volunteers.The group is planning for training in the spring of 2015 to add to our wonderful group of volunteers. For information about requirements and basic program overview, please go to CRAMBA-IMBA’s Mountain Bike Patrol page. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please send an email to bikepatrol@cramba.org. This is a great opportunity for you if like to ride and like to help others.
| Total hours | Total miles (est.) | Total impressions (est.) | |
| 1733.95 | 8419.55 | 22521 | |
| Impressions are defined as individuals whowere seen observing the presence of a Bike Patroller | |||
| CRAMBA Trail | hours | miles | impressions |
| Addison Oaks | 177.75 | 674.5 | 3249 |
| Bald Mountain | 73.5 | 555.5 | 523 |
| Bloomer | 91.5 | 539.4 | 1500 |
| Clinton River Park Trails | 108.75 | 556.5 | 2024 |
| Clinton River Trail (rail-trail) | 18.5 | 141 | 272 |
| Holdridge State | 36.5 | 158.5 | 75 |
| Macomb Orchard Trail | 22.5 | 290.5 | 457 |
| Metro Parkway Trail | 3.5 | 32 | 135 |
| Orion oaks | 2 | 4.5 | 6 |
| Paint Creek Trail | 65.5 | 523.25 | 1155 |
| Polly Ann Trail | 15 | 110 | 140 |
| Pontiac Lake State Rec | 92 | 318 | 1734 |
| River Bends | 297.2 | 1397.7 | 2470 |
| Ruby Trails | 12 | 54 | 74 |
| Seven lakes | 1 | 7.5 | 3 |
| Stony Creek Metropark | 413.25 | 2056.9 | 4741 |
| Stony Creek MTB Skills park | 20.5 | 10 | 128 |
| Other Trails | hours | miles | impressions |
| Betasso Park, Boulder CO | 2 | 7 | 16 |
| Bootleg Canyon. Boulder, NV. | 5 | 13 | 5 |
| Boyne Mountain | 15 | 26 | 206 |
| Brighton - Murray Lake | 7 | 22 | 14 |
| Buffalo Creek Trail, Castle Rock Colorado | 5 | 25 | 40 |
| Burchfield | 2 | 10 | 10 |
| Chelsea Test Track | 14 | 50 | 300 |
| Dragon Trail | 2 | 16 | 8 |
| Emerald Mtn, Steamboat Springs CO | 1 | 2 | 40 |
| Glacial Hills | 8 | 18 | 19 |
| Gladwin County Park | 6 | 28 | 14 |
| Highland | 5 | 24 | 10 |
| Huron Valley Trail | 0.5 | 6 | 30 |
| Iceman Course | 3 | 30 | 30 |
| Island Lake State Rec | 12 | 51 | 61 |
| John Muir trail LaGrange, WI | 9 | 31 | 40 |
| Kensington/Milford trail | 0.5 | 6 | 20 |
| Lake Orion Dragontail | 1 | 10 | 8 |
| Lake Shore Park, Novi (Tree Farm) | 46.5 | 151.1 | 2170 |
| Little Traverse Wheeling | 5.5 | 55 | 80 |
| Maybury State Park | 53.5 | 82.2 | 138 |
| Milford Trail | 1 | 6 | 10 |
| Mohican State Park, Ohio | 4 | 24 | 15 |
| Mt Vernon Trail - Arlington Va | 5 | 39 | 50 |
| Potowatomi | 16.5 | 76.5 | 121 |
| Ritzenhein Farm | 13.5 | 17 | 130 |
| Shawnee Mission Park, Kansas | 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Shenandoa 100 race in Virginia | 7 | 0 | 8 |
| Snowshoe Mt, WV | 8 | 30 | 100 |
| Spring Creek Trail, Steamboat Springs CO | 2 | 12 | 10 |
| Steamboat Bike Park, Steamboat Springs, CO | 9 | 48 | 40 |
| Switchgrass MTB Trail, Kansas | 6 | 30 | 4 |
| Valmont Bike Park, Boulder CO | 2 | 8 | 20 |
| West Bloomfield Trail | 1.5 | 14 | 50 |
| Yankee Springs | 2 | 13 | 10 |
| Total hours | Total miles (est.) | Total impressions (est.) | |
| CRAMBA | 1450.95 | 7429.75 | 18686 |
| Other | 283 | 989.8 | 3835 |
| Total | 1733.95 | 8419.55 | 22521 |
Thank you,Jeremy VerbekeCRAMBA Bike Patrol Director
January 2015 Chapter Meeting
Thanks to all who turned up for our January Chapter Meeting. We had 40 people in attendance! It was great to see a full room!
For those that couldn't make the meeting or just want a refresher, the minutes from our meeting can be found here:CRAMBA January Chapter Meeting 2015Thanks again for your support! Without you, there'd be no CRAMBA...
October 2014 Chapter Meeting Minutes
The minutes from our October 2014 Chapter Meeting, including Board Election results cane found here:CRAMBA October 2014 Chapter Meeting
CRAMBA November 2014 Board Meeting Minutes
The CRAMBA November 2014 Board Meeting Minutes can be viewed here:CRAMBA Board Meeting Minutes 11-19-14
CRAMBA October 2014 Board Meeting Minutes
The October 2014 Board meeting minutes can be viewed here:CRAMBA Board Meeting Minutes 10-20-14
September 2014 Board Meeting Minutes
The meeting minutes for the September 2014 meeting can be found here:CRAMBA Board Meeting Minutes 9-15-14
May 2014 Board Meeting
The meeting minutes from our May 2014 Board meeting can be found here:CRAMBA Board Meeting Minutes 5:19:14
CRAMBA Fundraiser at Rochester Mills Beer Co., Sunday, June 29
On Sunday, June 29th, Rochester Mills Beer Co. in Rochester, MI will be hosting a fundraiser event for CRAMBA.HOW IT WORKSClick Here to download a PDF of our fundraiser flier. Print out the flyer, present it to your server before ordering, and your server will attach the flyer to your check. CRAMBA-IMBA will receive 20% off all food and beverage sales that have flyers attached to guest checks on that day.Help us spread the word! Print off as many flyers as you like and share. Hope to see you then.Please note flyer distribution on Rochester Mills Beer Co.'s property is prohibited and will result in the forfeiture of our entire donation.
Got MTB: June 29th, 2014!
Hey Ladies! Want to be more comfortable riding your Mountain Bike? Looking to take your interest in cycling off road? Check out CRAMBA-IMBA's Got MTB Women's Mountain Bike Clinic taking place on June 29th at Shelby Township's River Bends Park!
National Mountain Bike Patrol Training: April 5th 2014
National Mountain Bike Patrol Training Hosted by CRAMBA
When: Saturday April 5th 2014 10am-3pmWhere: Shelby Township Fire Station #1 6345 23 Mile Rd, Shelby Township, MI 48316Is the National Mountain Bike Patrol right for you? It is if you enjoy:● Riding your bike.● Helping other people.● Being involved in the management of your local trails.● Learning and sharpening skills such as outdoor first aid, trailside bike repair, off-road riding and trail-use education.Looking to help or want to join us?● Assist in medical and mechanical emergencies● Educate trail users of proper etiquette● Inform land managers, land owners and trail users of trail conditions through monitoring efforts● Work with land managers to maintain and/or gain trail access for mountain bikers● Offer volunteer services at outdoor races and eventsIf you are interested please email bikepatrol@cramba.orgHere is a link to a recent article on the Mountain Bike Patrol: http://howardmeyerson.com/2013/09/06/gr ... rs-needed/View More information by viewing this brochure: http://www.cramba.org/wp-content/upload ... d_4_11.pdf
February 2014 Board Meeting
The meeting minutes from our February 2014 Board meeting can be found here:CRAMBA Board Meeting Minutes 2:24:14
CRAMBA-IMBA 2014 Membership Survey
The Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association has put together a membership survey, and we'd like to invite everyone to take a few moments to give us your thoughts.We'd like EVERYONE (current members, past members and non-members) to give us your thoughts on what we are doing right, what we need to improve upon, and what you'd like us to focus on in 2014.Thanks for taking the time to give us your thoughts.CRAMBA-IMBA 2014 Membership Survey.
January Chapter Meeting Cancelled
Due to inclement weather and road conditions across Southeast Michigan we are CANCELLING tonight's CRAMBA-IMBA January Chapter Meeting which was to have been held at 7:00pm at Rochester Mills Beer Company.
CRAMBA-IMBA Bike Patrol: 1065 Hours in 2013
This past year has been a huge success for the Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association’s National Mountain Bike Patrol (NMBP) group. The CRAMBA-IMBA Mountain Bike Patrol is a nationally recognized group of volunteers that help when help is needed out on the trails, or anywhere for that matter. This includes helping others with minor trailside repairs, directing lost or uncertain trail users, being good trail stewards, assisting in medical emergencies and anything else that may occur out while riding that may need some assistance.This year was a huge success due to the focus on getting more organized and recruiting more volunteers. In doing so, CRAMBA-IMBA's Mountain Bike Patrol had 13 patrollers go through training and commit to patrolling our local trails. All of the volunteers went through an orientation and first aid and CPR training.CRAMBA Bike Patrol has had a great deal of support from a variety of different sources. The First Aid/CPR training was paid by Joe Burns (Race Director for Back to the Beach Half Marathon @ Stony Creek Metro Park). Mr. Burns was also gracious enough to donate another lump sum of cash ($200) to help pay for trailside repair kits for new patrollers. American Cycle and Fitness (Macomb) helped by discounting those trailside repair kits and spare bike tubes. REI (Troy) donated first aid kits for each patroller, which total value was more than $600. CRAMBA-IMBA also allocated a portion of its funding to the Bike Patrol. The group is very appreciative of the donations from these businesses and groups since training and tools are important for helping trail users.Patrollers throughout the state of Michigan gained 1367.68 hours of volunteer time while out riding this year. CRAMBA’s Mountain Bike Patrol group was responsible for 1065.25 of those hours. Combined, volunteers have ridden 2506 miles while patrolling. Patrollers can patrol anywhere at any time. Local trails that are commonly patrolled by our members are the local mountain bike trails in Macomb and Oakland Counties, such as Stony Creek Metro Park, Addison Oaks, River Bends, Clinton River Trail, and Bloomer Park. Our patrolling efforts also focus on helping with bike races, foot races and group rides such as CRAMBA-IMBA’s Massive Fallout group ride that is held in fall of each year. The effort and dedication of our local group is obvious, and we are just starting to grow.The group is planning for training in the spring of 2014 to add to our wonderful group of volunteers. For information about requirements and basic program overview, please go to CRAMBA-IMBA's Mountain Bike Patrol page. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please send an email to bikepatrol@cramba.org. This is a great opportunity for you if like to ride and like to help others.Addison Oaks: 19 Patrols, 106.5 HoursBald Mountain: 6 Patrols, 14 HoursBloomer: 14 Patrols, 57.5 HoursClinton River Park Trails: 31 Patrols, 68 HoursClinton River Trail: 5 Patrols, 19.5 HoursHoldridge: 9 Patrols, 28.75 HoursOrion Oaks: 1 Patrols, 2 HoursPaint Creek Trail: 9 Patrols, 19 HoursPontiac Lake: 20 Patrols, 56.75 HoursRiver Bends: 55 Patrols, 123.5 HoursRuby Campground: 2 Patrols, 12 HoursStony Creek: 61 Patrols, 217.25 HoursNon-CRAMBA Trails: 59 Patrols, 340.5 Hours
REMINDER: Chapter Meeting: January 2014
Date: January 7, 2014 (7:00 pm - 8:00 pm)